When you run Le Routard through a French dictionary, it translates to “the traveller”. Indeed, premise of this movie revolves around travel guidebook which loosely based on the famous Le Guide du Routard. (Fun fact: creator Phillipe Gloadguen makes a cameo in the movie)
Yet, the English title for the movie is “The Rookie Guide” which is a surprisingly apt description of the overall plot of this movie.
Le Routard introduces us to Yann Tatin, a temp who has hardly travelled aside from signing up for an “all-inclusive” resort holiday. While trading Summer stories with his friends, one jests that Yann just isn’t cut out for vacations or a full time job.
Enter kindly Mrs Boniek, his neighbour, who manages to set him up with a meeting with Karol Kowalski, the second in line at Le Routard.
Yann manages to hoodwink Karol into assigning him a probationary job. His task – to cover forty spots in Marrakech and ascertain their “coolness” in five days.
“Anonymity is the golden rule”, says Karol.
However, like a kid getting their first big paycheck, Yann tosses that rule out the window when he lands in Marrakech. He bolsters his identity with lies to make himself look credible, which consequently brings a varied mix of results – from awe and adoration to absolute mayhem through a UNESCO Heritage site.
This fish out of water premise would normally be enough to carry the movie through. However, an intersection with Sofia Berrara provides a side plot that feeds the overall narrative to a satisfying conclusion.
Complaints are central to the workings of Le Routard. As the guide for “coolness”, Karol insists that investigating complaints are vital to the guide’s reputation.
Sofia is is a prickly tour guide who has raised the ire of Le Routard readers, and has made it to Yann’s hitlist.
As expected, he reveals his identity to Sofia to get her to take his concerns seriously. He also invites her to the swanky Palais Rahman for dinner to discuss the issue, which she flatly refuses.
However, things change when the meeting provides her the opportunity to help her mentor retrieve a priceless national treasure.
Yann is inevitably caught up in this cat and mouse game. Cue more chaos, facilitated in parts by oddball characters.
Michel Blanc plays villainous Dr Charoux in his final film role. While he plays the role well, the spotlight is stolen by the evil doctor’s bumbling bodyguards, Regis and Frida. Their sweatsuits alone make it hard to take these mercenaries seriously. This is one time I don’t feel bad for judging a book by its cover.
Marie Nesrine and Marc Aziz who are perfect parodies of people who love a particular culture so much that they’ve adopted it as their own. Originally from Levallois, they consider themselves to be so Moroccan that they took on Arab names. They take every opportunity to flaunt their new identities. They talk about being in Marrakech for twelve Ramadans and use (and explaining) Arabic words where they can. It is an amusing mix of arrogance and self-deluded detachment from the motherland.
The calls from Karol to check in on Yann are also delicious pockets of comic relief. Even though there are days with multi check ins, Karol manages to be in a different country during each call. It is preposterous yet wholly appropriate for a film which idolises the intrepid traveller stereotype.
After spending the majority of the movie shaking my head at or laughing at Yann and the other characters, the closing act gently nudges the silliness aside to develop the heart of the movie. As a reviewer and content creator, it hit close to home.
People are increasingly sceptical of online reviews. Influencers often conjure negative connotations rather than positive.
Yet, we mustn’t forget that there ARE genuine reviewers out there. These are the ones who care about showcasing the good spots, the ones who want to help local businesses. And when we find these reviewers who strike a chord with their authenticity, we hold on for dear life because we know we’ll be in for amazing experiences.
The Rookie Guide is an entertaining watch – I just didn’t expect it to give me food for thought too.
The Rookie Guide is showing at the Alliance Française French Film Festival from 14th March until 15th April.